In Remembrance of 9/11

This is a poem Catherine wrote shortly after the attack in 2001 and shared with our church family several days before the year anniversary of this tragic event. Hard to believe 11 years later we are still in a war as a result of 9/11. May we continue to pray for all persons impacted by this tragedy then, now and in the years to come.

Above all else let us live as faithful followers of the Prince of Peace and, in the words of the author of the Letter to the Colossians: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other….” (Colossians 3:12-13, NRSV) 
 Statement from Bishop Goodpaster prior to the 10th anniversary of September 11th.

Style Your Sole/Soul Party Reflection - Catherine Greene

It is difficult to adequately articulate the overwhelming mix of emotions I felt as I listened to my mother unveil a special party she had put together, on our recent church mission trip to Philadelphia, to honor my grandmother.  As my best friend and confidant, my mother and I share everything together, but this is one piece of information she withheld from me.  She did it so that I could truly enjoy the moment, instead of helping her come up with an entire devotion and theme centered around this party, which I normally assist with while on these trips.  To say I was caught off guard would be an understatement, but I am so glad she did because I had the opportunity to genuinely be present in the moment, surrounded by some of the youth whom I share a very special bond.  The avid party planner, my mother truly outdid herself with this Tom’s Style Your Sole (which she changed to Soul) Party.   And what made this party so special and unique was not the extravagant decorations or the fancy h'orderves, yet it was the thought and heart poured into every ounce of this event so that it accurately balanced celebrating Mawmaw B’s life, sharing a piece of my mother’s heart and teaching the youth of the next generation what it means to be enfolded in God’s love.  As I share how the event unfolded, you will be able to see that this party truly embodied my grandmother’s spirit and the Holy Spirit.

While I am generally up in front of the group helping my mom lead the nightly devotions, I, for once, was seated with the group preparing to watch a video on Work To Ride, one of the organizations we were working with that week.  Due to technical difficulties with the television, we had to rearrange the session that night, which allowed me to stay seated in my current location a little while longer.  Boy, am I glad that TV wasn’t working because I was right where I needed to be in that moment.  I am a firm believer that this wasn’t a coincidence yet a surprise by God, which he had so masterfully crafted.  As mom began to share the journey we had been through the past nine months, I needed those youth surrounding me as I began to cry.  I needed Megan’s hugs, Maggie’s back rub and Abbey, who allowed me to weep on her shoulder.

Mom spoke to the initial incident that altered our journey and led us down a new and unexpected path.  My grandmother fell the second week of November and shattered her hip replacement.  The week before the accident, my mom had been to Exploration 2011 in St. Louis with several members of the youth group.  That time away allowed her to nurture young people who are growing in their faith and being called to the ministry.  It also provided her with some peace and quite before the storm she unexpectedly faced the following week.  Looking back, she realized that God was likely preparing her for this long road ahead during this weekend conference in St. Louis.  As mom spoke, I vividly replayed the phone call I received the night she fell.  That night I felt so helpless because I was in Chapel Hill, far removed from the situation, and more importantly, too far from Mawmaw B.

Mom briefly spoke of the difficulties we faced as Mawmaw went through serious surgery to repair her fractured hip and the scary moments we faced as she recovered from surgery.  She then fast forward to Christmas Eve, the night my grandmother contracted Clostridium difficile (C Diff) and quickly took a turn for the worse.  After contracting a bacterium that attacks the colon and causes severe diarrhea, my grandmother became immobilized and weak.  She progressively became weaker by the minute and our family was afraid to leave her side. 

Before all of this transpired, my mom and I already had a pre-mission trip weekend planned in Philadelphia.  However, we were hesitant to take the trip because we were fearful she might die while we were gone.  But after much prodding by friends and family, we decided to make the journey to Philadelphia.  We had a wonderful long-weekend exploring our worksites and visiting the beach in Atlantic City.  We were even able to capture a photo of my hands in the shape of a heart over the Atlantic Ocean, which we later used for material to publicize for the trip.  It was a wonderful weekend that incorporated our favorite things: time together, service opportunities, the beach, planning for a week with a wonderful group of youth and love.  Well, we needed that week to prepare us for the following weekend. 

As mom continued to talk, my mind wandered back to that phone call I received the next Saturday afternoon telling me that Mawmaw had been rushed to the hospital and that she didn’t have long.  I recounted the paralyzation I felt in that moment but then quickly turned my fears into action and began to pray.  Looking back, I realize I now was experiencing what mom did in November.  The trip in January was just what I needed because it prepared me to handle the days I would face in the wake of my grandmother’s death.

From the time Mawmaw came to live with us until the moment she left this Earth, our church family, in particular the youth, loved and supported us.  During our time of anguish, it was our faith and the love of the First Methodist congregation that sustained us.  It was this combination that we relied on so heavily during Mawmaw’s illness and death that inspired mom’s party.

Mawmaw left mom some money for her to use after she was gone that would inspire and help others.  Mom pondered and fretted over this task for more than four months.  She didn’t want to just do something traditional or expected.  Sure, she had some organizations in our community that were very near to her heart, but she generally gives to them, so she sought something more.  After reading Toms founder Blake Mycoskie’s book and cleaning out my grandmother’s shoes, mom had the perfect idea that was very fitting and representative of what she wanted to do with this fund.  Mom wanted to be able to give back to the group that had been there for her the most during this recent journey, the youth group.  She also found it ironic that she would have the opportunity to throw this party in the city known for its brotherly love, the city she and I were in the week before Mawmaw’s death.  Mom also chose to hold the party the night we returned from Atlantic City, the place I took a picture of my hands in the shape of a heart over the Atlantic Ocean.  Even more appropriate was the fact that this event fell on the eve of the sixth month anniversary of Mawmaw’s death.  All the stars aligned and the pieces fell into place.  So, mom threw a party.  We each were given a pair of white canvas Toms to style, however we saw fit, as long as it was representative of our “soul.” 

What made this moment even more magical was when mom announced that she was attempting to arrange with the Toms corporation that the 45 shoes she purchased for our group, be donated to the children at the Neighborhood Center in Camden, New Jersey (one of the agencies we worked during our trip) as part of the one-for-one promise of the company.  What a perfect combination!!

It was most important to my mom that my grandmother’s legacy be honored in this endeavor because she had a great influence on my mother’s journey into the ministry.  Mawmaw B had an unwavering faith, one that was quietly modeled to all through her actions.  Mawmaw’s secret was meeting God in the morning each and every day so his presence lingered with her throughout the day.  Mawmaw allowed her God to live on a daily basis with her.  Her faith was not flashy but full.  In all she did, Mawmaw made you feel like no one else could.  She always had time and love to give.  Not just to me but to my friends, our immediate family, her extended family, her neighbors, the shut-ins and the youth of First United Methodist.  She knew how to care for people and to make each person feel valued.

I believe that for all of us who had the opportunity to know her or to even hear her story, our greatest inheritance will be a sustaining faith.  We have and will survive this loss by the grace of God.  During the Soul Party we were able to share stories to keep her memory alive and we will now live out loud the legacy she has given to us, through our Toms shoes, so that at the end of our time on Earth, God can say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

By this gift mom provided to each of us, I know Mawmaw B and God are looking down saying to her, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  What a blessing it is for me to have these two women in my life.  They shaped me into the woman I am today.  They are the epitome of strong, faithful servants of God who share His love through their actions and service. 

I want to close by sharing lyrics from the song Constant by Francesca Battistelli, which just happened to be playing on Pandora as I was typing this reflection, which I think speaks to what both my grandmother and mother are in my life.

 You're my constant in every moment

Constant

          You've never failed me

       All my life

              You have never left my side

         You are my constant

Style Your "Soul" Party Reflections

On Wednesday night of our mission trip the youth awaited instruction for what to do for the nightly devotion. After a long afternoon of fun in Atlantic City and two full days of hard work under our belts, I can easily admit that we were all worn out and anticipating a quick and simple devotion to end the evening. When given instructions that were out of the ordinary, every member of the youth, including myself, became a little discouraged and annoyed at the situation now presented. Despite our hesitation, we did as we were told and gathered in the little chapel. I took my seat next to Catherine and felt at ease as I found myself surrounded by all of my close friends in the group. Becky took her position at the front of the room and began speaking. I was captivated the minute she mentions MaMaw B, her mother. Becky talked about her mother’s death and all that she has to be thankful for when celebrating her mother’s life. Becky credited her mother for her love for Christ, youth ministry, and strength. I had experienced first-hand the love, commitment, and good nature MaMaw B displayed to her family and to the Lord. I was overcome with emotion as I felt the pain and grief in Becky’s voice and listened to Catherine softly crying beside me. MaMaw B. wasn’t just a woman I enjoyed being around every once in a while when visiting Becky, she was a woman that raised and influenced two of the most important people in my life. Because of MaMaw B, I have Becky and Catherine in my life and because of the way she raised them, they have since then instilled the word of God in every teen that has entered the youth group, myself included. Becky admitted that it was hard for her to find an organization to donate to that fit both her mother’s personality and spirit. She knew that MaMaw B’s favorite things in the world were the youth and shoes. We were then informed that we were all receiving Tom’s Shoes in her honor, as well as underprivileged kids in Africa, I felt it was a perfect fit. Having a "Tom’s Sole Party" in MaMaw B’s honor was probably one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had out of all the mission trips I’ve attended. Decorating those Tom’s scared me to death! Taking into perspective that I am not artistic in any way, I felt tremendous pressure to not only design the shoes in a way where I could wear them out in a public place, but to also incorporate this moment with my youth group and the life of MaMaw B. With the help of some of the craftier girls in the youth, I managed to decorate my Tom’s in a way that encompassed those things and a lot more. I filled every white spot on my shoes with bright colors so that they will catch people’s attention when walking down the street. I wrote Isaiah 52:7 in black, as well as my church name, all of the mission trips I’ve attended during my high school career, a Jesus fish, and an L.O.L symbol that stands for living your faith out loud. I eagerly added a Tar heel and UNC logo to the sides as well as a cross and flame. After finishing a few personal touches to the shoes, I felt something was missing. A few people in the group discussed how we could add the memory of MaMaw B. to our shoes. After a few moments of debate, we unanimously decided to add her initials under the Tom’s logo on our right foot. After adding her initials in red I felt my shoes were complete. Having the "Tom’s Sole Party" was a great experience.
-Abbey Horne

The mission trip taken by our church youth group every year is definitely a treasured experience. Every year brings new challenges, surprises, and faithful memories. Becky, our God-given youth director, sat us down for our first major surprise about halfway through the trip. She began with the reminder that her mother, close to many of us, was ill at the beginning of this year. Becky had planned a trip to come view the places for our mission trip, and that weekend her mother became sicker, but Becky still visited Philadelphia because as she says "we are as close as family gets." A week later her mother passed. Becky began to drop a tear, and the sniffles from her daughter, Cat, started, so you know there wasn't a dry eye. She proceeded to remind us all that MaMaw B. loved shoes and style, and that a portion of money was left to Becky, encouraging her to make a difference. That's when we were told we had all been bought a pair of shoes to decorate. When she told us she had purchased a pair of white Toms for everyone, eyes dried and the rejoicing of MaMaw B.'s life began with a Style Your Sole (what became known to us as a Style Your "Soul") party! After receiving the shoes we went at it with fabric markers making the blank canvas our own, and as a dedication to Becky's mother, we all wrote MMB somewhere on the back of our shoes. Our youth group sends thanks to all Tom’s does to help support stories like ours!
-Gray Heath

The trip this year to Philadelphia was a real life changer for me. God opened up doors for me that I never knew existed, and now my life will never be the same. Seeing the struggles of all of the people we reached out to had an impact on me that I didn't really have in St. Louis because we weren't directly involved with the people there like we were this year. This years trip also got a lot more physical work done because of being at all of the different locations. I'm not sure exactly where we got the most work done; but, in my opinion, it was at Work to Ride and the fence there just because it was such a big project. I personally got closer to the group which was something I didn't really do last year and I'm glad I started getting more involved. I also wanted to thank all of the adults that went because the trip wouldn't be possible without them. I really think Becky set the bar high with this awesome of an experience, I'm excited to see what next year has in store!
-Sam Devine

Pictures from our Style your "Soul" Party

Philly Love

We've worked together all week to show Christ's love to the people of Philadelphia and Camden.  These are a few symbols we designed that represent our understanding of communicating the Gospel.

Father's Day Memories

My friend Juta and I were riding the other day and the conversation turned to the TV schedule for the College World Series in Omaha. Juta said it reminded her of her dad, and I agreed. We reminisced about our fathers' influence on our love for the game. We are blessed to have those good memories.

In 1909 another lady felt moved to honor her father who had raised six children as a single dad after the death of her mother. She "pitched" the idea to local religious leaders and proposed the first Father's Day. Sonora Smart Dodd sat proudly at the Central Methodist Church in Spokane, Washington as the sermon honored her father and others.

This Father's Day, I hope you have memories to share of a father or father-figure in your life who has taught you to appreciate something and loved you while doing it. It is no accident that this year my daughter is celebrating with her dad at the Atlanta Braves baseball game and I am giving the pastoral prayer at the Methodist church.

Pomp and Circumstance

As graduation nears, I wanted to post what I shared with the FUMC parents, soon-to-be graduates and youth workers at the Senior Dinner on May 27, 2012. This is a special group of young people, both collectively and individually. They each made their mark on this community, their school, the youth group and the entire First Methodist congregation. By living their faith out loud, they let us know they were here. They will continue to do the same in the next Chapter of their life. Congratulations Class of 2012!

Last year about this time, I remember telling the youth and some of you parents, “It won’t be long till graduation.” And it’s here: that awkward time of parents hanging on for one last memory and seniors ready to get it done.

So enjoy tonight, whatever place you find yourself, because the next two weeks will fly by. They will be emotional and y’all may not have a chance to say the things you want to say so hopefully tonight you can.

Traditionally, I use a song that says what I want to say about the senior class much better than I can put into words. I hope I have done that. I will be using a song by Lady Antebellum and the title is “I Was Here.” I invite you to listen to the words. For those of you hard of hearing, I have them printed. Then I will make a few brief comments.

This song was used in the 2008 Olympics because each athlete competes and dreams of that moment and that achievement. Those of you gathered here have dreamed of this time – individually, for your children or for the kids in this youth group. And as great as these milestones are, just as important are the significant moments along the way – you have been making your mark for a long time. Some of you made a mark coming into the world, some of you made a splash in the nursery, some of you starred in plays and musicals, some of you stood together at confirmation. Others have come back into the fold gradually for specific events. Still others have joined the church as new members. Regardless where you appear on the timeline, you took LOL and saw something different. You’ve chosen to live your faith out loud. Many have carved your name in your school through academics, athletics, chorus, drama and ROTC. You’ve taken time to let this community and others know you were here by serving a meal at Potter’s House, playing with children at Camp Sunshine, serving a meal at the Boys and Girls Club – or tutoring and teaching them Spanish. You chose to do something better with your time in the summers beginning with the Mission Trip to Rockford. We left more than a trace in Choctaw. We touched a few hearts in Detroit, including Fran. We did more than just pass through the arch in St. Louis,

And your faith has been noticed by others at Valle Crucis, on Youth Sunday, through prayer texts, out back at Tequila’s, early mornings at McDonald’s for prayer breakfasts, and blogs and twitter feeds that tell the world what FUMC means to you. We have shared joys and sorrows. I will forever remember this class for the way you embraced me during my mother’s death. And as you move forth from this place tonight, as you graduate in a couple of weeks – yes, you’ve achieved a milestone but you are who you are because of your Creator, the people sitting beside of you, the families you represent and a church filled with pride when they think of their youth. So although many things will change for you in the coming months, the one constant is God knows the plans he has for you and I believe there is a reason “plans” is plural. You may take multiple roads to get to a variety of destinations but God and FUMC will work with you. If you don’t take anything else away from tonight, take away that you want to do something that matters and something that says “I was here.” And that goes for all of us here, we all need to do more than pass through this life.

Parents, you don’t need to quit doing, being, serving, praying, witnessing, and coming to church just because your kids are finished.

Seniors, don’t put your faith on the shelf for the next few years. Find ways to stay connected to the one who made you, died for you and rose again for you.

In a moment your parents will wrap a blanket around you carved with the cross and flame. Let this remind you of this evening and our love for you.

Thistle Farming

I am a thistle farmer. Before this weekend (May 4-6, 2012), I had no clue what that meant. Most of us pictured arriving at an idyllic farm filled with beautiful purple flowers. Little did we know that the whole reason for the name "thistle" farms is because it grows in places most people wouldn't travel. Thistles can be spotted under bridges, on banks and around railroad tracks-just to name a few spots.

We were fortunate enough to pick alongside experts from the Magdalene House. They knew precisely how to angle and cut the thistles so as not to be punctured by the prickly stalks. Brittany and Tonya shared their story of living on the streets and living without purpose. When they found this recovery program, they began to experience community and love in a new way. From the thistles, healing body products are made such as lotions, soaps and shower gel. The entire process represents the struggles of the women in recovery and their renewed sense of self-worth.

As we traveled the streets of Nashville, we fixed our eyes on these thistles growing wild. Even a policeman stopped us and asked us, "what in the world do you want with those things?" We wanted what most people considered a nuisance. Sounds like Jesus, doesn't it? He talked to the woman at the well, the same as his disciples.

As we drove back from Nashville, we were quick to spot patches of thistles; however, on the drive up we had not even noticed those same purple flowers. When I returned to Gastonia, there was a thistle spotting on Belvedere Avenue. I had to ask myself, " how many other things and people in God's creation have I ignored?" What else have I walked by and not given its proper attention? As usual, the mini-mission trip was supposed to be about helping others, but I gained so much perspective from this experience.